October 13, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
[ Episode #24 ]

When Racism Meets Misogyny – The Exploitation of Asian Women in Illicit Massage Businesses

Earlier this year, a man entered an Atlanta massage parlor and brutally murdered eight people – six of them being Asian American women. Media outlets were quick to label this crime as racially motivated, however, when taking a closer look, one soon realizes sex addiction, misogyny, and the extreme vulnerability of women of color (particularly Asian and Pacific Islander women) were the driving forces behind this tragic event. According to recent reports, human trafficking in massage businesses is the second most common type of trafficking reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Additionally, over 9,000 illicit massage businesses (IMBs) – fronts for selling commercial sex – are estimated to be spread across communities throughout the United States. Join us for this special episode, as we examine the ways in which both anti-Asian racism and the fetishization of Asian women collide to make those employed by illicit massage businesses more vulnerable than ever to increased rates of violence and exploitation.

Featured Guests:

Missy Weismann
SEE: Solutions to End Exploitation

An unconventional road has brought Missy to her work in both investigative and data driven research on human trafficking and exploitation.  Her curiosity, drive and spirit brings new innovation to data driven research, cross sector collaboration and creative solutions. Along the way she has experienced the beauty and pain of grass roots community development in central Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, rural southern U.S., and now in her home town of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Currently receiving her Masters degree from Michigan State University in Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis.

Daniel Russell, Sr.
Director of National Corporate Sales, Trion Solutions

Daniel Russell, Sr. is an experienced business professional with an extensive background in employee administration and business management. Dan also has several years of experience in the banking and finance industry serving as a Vice President for Wells Fargo Bank and Wachovia Bank. In addition to his employee administration and banking experience Dan has also trained and developed business owners and entrepreneurs across all types of business sectors. Dan is a well-respected Professional/Motivational speaker guiding business owners, entrepreneurs and young adults with engaging and inspiring content. He is passionate about helping people achieve their dreams and visions helping their ideas become reality. Mr. Russell serves on several boards throughout Michigan. He has served on the Board of Directors for Winning Futures a youth mentoring program in South Eastern Michigan and on the Board of Directors for Hope Against Trafficking a Non-Profit assisting women who have been victims of human trafficking. He is a board member with the Troy Rotary and is also a board member at Covenant House Detroit an organization providing housing and support services to youth facing homelessness.

This series of live-streamed conversations was created in partnership with Hope Against Trafficking in an effort to bring perspective and build awareness on all things human trafficking.

Thanks for tuning in! If you have any specific human trafficking-related topics you would like to see discussed during future episodes, let us know at info@map-mi.org

Click here to view past episode recordings